Culture shock is a friendly description of what I am experiencing right now. I just arrived in Europe from a trip that lasted from late September to this week in Japan.
When friends asked me what I loved so much in this country, I rattled off all the positive experiences I had there and what I am missing in Europe, but also in North America.
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Besides the wonderful landscapes: beaches with crystal-clear water, mountains of all heights, blue bamboo forests, many volcanoes, often still active, waterfalls and gorges, countless castles, marvelous botanical gardens, and beautiful flowers that bloom into December, the list goes on and on…
Here is What I Especially Loved:
People in Japan are polite and respectful to their customers. It started already at the airport in Vancouver when the ANA check-in counter staff greeted and bowed to the passengers waiting.
Japanese culture emphasizes harmony, respect, and group collectivism. There was quiet behaviour on planes, trains, and buses, avoiding loud public displays — tourists don’t seem to realize that.
Passengers on trains, trams, or buses are lining up properly and don’t skip lines. Japanese travellers ship their luggage by special, fast, and inexpensive carriers to their destination. In contrast, tourists haul their heavy suitcases (often two suitcases plus a backpack) into a small tram or bus, and block other travelers’ paths.
Onsens — Hot Springs
Haneda Airport in Tokyo, one of the best in the world, has a 24-hour public Onsen (hot springs) and a spa facility called Izumi Tenku no Yu, located on the 12th floor of the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand (Terminal 3), and is connected to the Haneda Airport Garden. It features natural hot spring baths (including a rooftop open-air bath with views of the airport and Tama River), saunas, and a restaurant.
You don’t need to be a hotel guest to use the facility, which is supplied with natural Onsen water and offers showers, rental towels, and lounge wear. Plus, you can get a relaxing massage — lovely after a long flight!
I gained a couple of pounds, especially when traveling by train. The train stations are amazing! They look more like malls with dozens or hundreds of bakeries, confectioneries, and artistic dessert shops.
The variety is amazing. Even in small train stations, you could often buy outstanding food and sweet treats.
Throughout cities, fine food is everywhere! Even on the island, where I stayed for weeks, and where mostly only old farmers live, there was a cafe-restaurant that would fit in New York or Paris. Japan is a paradise for foodies!
At most restaurants and hotels in Japan, the service charge is already included, and tipping is not expected. In fact, offering a tip might make staff uncomfortable or confused, especially in more traditional or upscale places. However, I tried to tip every time I took a taxi, and the drivers were all pleased.
Comparing the Way-of-Life Between Japan and Western Countries
I liked that taxis were all super clean and had white covers over the seats. The taxi drivers were well-dressed and groomed, and respectful to passengers. They sometimes even spoke a couple of words in English or used their cell phone to translate.
Entering a house or a hotel room, the Japanese take off their shoes and put on slippers. In hotel rooms, guests will always find brand-new sealed slippers at the entrance.
Most hotels also offer a bathrobe and slippers. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, etc., are essentials in every hotel room. They also have tea kettles and often green tea, sugar, etc. One always feels like in a five-star hotel for the price of a two-star place. Hand showers are everywhere, in hotel rooms, or Onsens. Hotels are classier than in Europe or North America. Some of the best breakfast buffets I have ever seen were offered in hotels.
Friendly people helping with directions — especially women (if they speak English). Store employees often translate on phones.
Europe’s beautiful, medieval buildings are covered with graffiti — something you won’t barely ever see in Japan. No cigarette butts, dog poo, or garbage on the city streets - contrary to Europe and other parts of the world.
Japanese people are also not tattooed, unless they belong to a criminal gang.
Local Japanese people are honest. I forgot money on a table, a lady ran after me and handed it back. I also forgot several times to lock my bicycle, but no one stole it. I also left my camera in a taxi cab, and the driver brought it back to the hotel!
It is so relaxing to travel in a country where visitors and locals alike don’t constantly need to watch their belongings.
In Japan, it’s considered bad manners to blow your nose in public, especially in quiet places like trains, offices, classrooms, or elevators. Or god forbid, on a restaurant table! Many people also wear masks.
People always carry an umbrella with them, for rain or shine. Often, you can borrow them or buy them for a small amount. There are lots of umbrella holders everywhere in the cities or on ferries.
In restaurants and coffee shops, you will find light boxes, often made of fabric, where guests can place their handbag or laptop while eating.
In Japan, you hand everything to other people, from gifts to business cards, to money with both hands, preferred on small trays.
Japanese trains are fast and punctual; only once in three months did a train have a 3-minute delay. It prompted a lengthy apology, and the connecting train waited for the passengers. Train travel is easy, even if you don't speak Japanese (mostly marked in English too), and rather cheap, the same for trams in cities.
There are so many trains throughout Japan that you barely ever need a car. The infrastructure throughout the whole country is exceptional. Ground markings for blind people are everywhere in the country. However, there are not many wide-door restrooms for the handicapped and wheelchair users. Otherwise, toilets are state-of-the-art, and most of the time the rims are heated.
There were only four things I really didn’t like:
- Few folks spoke English, even though they learn it for years in school. This happened mostly in the southern part of Japan. And strangely, even in some tourist information offices.
- Many restaurants, ferries, and even saunas, or relaxation rooms in Onsens are equipped with TVs. The program is almost worse than in North America. Bring a headset with you to avoid the noise!
- Stores in the South or rural areas, or small ferries, don’t accept credit cards. Bring enough cash.
- During the Pacific War, Allied forces conducted air raids on Japan from 1942 to 1945, causing extensive destruction to the country’s cities and killing between 241,000 and 900,000 people. This might be the reason that modern cities often don’t have heritage buildings and are rebuilt in an unattractive way. Beautiful houses or restored castles are mostly found in villages.
